Super Model

When I was a little girl, I wanted nothing more than to be a super model when I grew up.  I'd flip the pages of magazines thinking how wonderful it must be to wear the fancy clothes, have my make-up done by professionals and have my hairstylist do things with my hair that I could never accomplish on my own.  As I looked at many of the advertisements on the pages, it really didn't matter what product they were holding, smoking or riding in, it just all seemed so glamorous.  Whether it was Iman or Christie Brinkley, it was a life I most certainly wanted.  And don't even get me started on Diana Ross!  The Boss!  So my prayer was that one day I would grow up and be a super model just like them.

Fast forward 30 years (actually more, but that's not the point!), I'm now a single mom of a 24 year old daughter and a 16 year old son, working in corporate America and not feeling very "super" at much of anything, when just the other day the Lord decided to reveal my runway.  

I called my son downstairs for dinner and as he sat at the table, he said, "Thank you."  

I said, "You're welcome."  

He said, "Not for the dinner, but for how you raised me."

With a quizzical look on my face, I said, "Oh."

He said, "Something happened today between me and someone else and instead of writing them off, I forgave them.  They didn't even understand why I forgave them, but you taught me the power of love and forgiveness and that's what I want my life to be about."

I was blown away at the conversation.  Then, the very next day, my daughter called me about a disagreement she had experienced with a co-worker only to realize later that evening she was wrong.  She laughed about it to me and said, "I guess I just won't bring that topic up again now that I realize I was wrong."

I said, "Actually, you should bring it up again and apologize for your error..  That would demonstrate integrity."  After listening to me for a minute, she said "You're right, mom." and proceeded to text the person admitting her mistake and apologizing for it.  Later that evening, she called again and said "Thanks again, mom, for talking to me about integrity."

In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus tells us we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.  In verse 16 He says, "let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

All this time, I hadn't seen anything super about my life and certainly didn't feel like a model, but God had given me the highest paying and most rewarding super model job ever - a role model.  He allowed my light to shine before my children as I modeled the wardrobe of love, forgiveness and integrity with God as my personal stylist.  Who knew my children had been watching the pages of my life turn?  Indeed, God had answered my prayer to be a super model after all.

So next time you feel not so super, remember that someone is watching your pages turn.  It might be a child, a spouse, a neighbor or a co-worker, so be mindful of what you're modeling and wear it well!

Love Always!

Shy